Cancer victim winner in UP-All Stars duel

The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons pulled off a surprise 86-82 victory over the SMC All-Stars recently but there were neither winners nor losers in that exhibition match between the two squads at the Loyola Center in Quezon City.

No prize went to either protagonists, but to ailing UP point guard Jon Tabique who is battling cancer of the lymph nodes, that match may spark as his life-saver.

The game was a fund-raiser which the SMC All-Stars hope would prompt other kindred entities to likewise support the 18-year old Tabique whose bright future in basketball suddenly dimmed late last year after he was diagnosed with the dreaded disease.

Aside from the sale of tickets priced at P100 each, all the members of the SMC All-Stars from the coach to the players down to the ballboys donated their allowances for the day in order to jack up the collection.

"It’s a noble gesture from the SMC All-Stars," said UP Fighting Maroons coach Lito Vergara. "Jon has already undergone surgery and chemotherapy. He’s an outpatient now and he’s in high spirits."

Tabique first felt signs of weakening towards the end of the 2003 UAAP season but simply disregarded the early symptoms. It was in late December that he was finally diagnosed as having cancer of the lymph nodes. He underwent surgery the following month.

"It’s a good thing he’s still young and can still recover. More than anything else, what Jon needs at the moment is our prayers," added Vergara.

A sports celebrity who successfully battled lymph node cancer is cycling icon Lance Armstrong who contracted the ailment in his teens but recovered to later win the Tour de France five times. Tabique may yet follow Armstrong and still realize his dream of playing in the PBA.

Spearheading the SMC All-Stars’ benefit game were former UP Fighting Maroons Benjie Paras, Ronald Magsanoc and coach Eric Altamirano. Likewise present were Samboy Lim, Hector Calma, Vince Hizon, Tony Boy Espinosa, Henry Fernandez, Richie Ticzon, Zaldy Realubit, Chito Loyzaga, Lowell Briones, Bobby Jose and Ronald Magtulis.